Open a little window on one woman's adventures with multiple sclerosis

Bopping along in my wheelchair…

On one of the last days of summer, I chose to ride my Power Chair. This was only the fifth time I’ve taken it out. I was heading to a workshop and decided it best to use the Chair. I’d have more energy for meeting people, talking about things and presenting material on “Living a Healthy Life with a Chronic Condition”.

I have a number of walking aides: two walkers, one power chair, one wheelchair that requires somebody push me. It is a light model, easily hauled in and out of our family van. While some people choose their handbags to match their shoes, I pick a walking device according to mood, terrain and what I want to accomplish that day.

And so, I rode my Power Chair, down the sidewalks and into the community centre, where we were meeting. I rode the chair right up to our meeting table. After a fun two hours at the workshop, I headed out to the sunshine. I met a friend on the sidewalk, who I hadn’t seen in a few weeks. She told me she was headed to my neighbourhood and asked how I was getting home. She pointed to the Chair and asked: “Does it fit in my van?” I looked up at her, tapping the armrests of my wheelchair with the palms of my hands, I stated: “I’m walking.”

And then, I smiled and explained, “I’m pretend walking. It only takes half an hour in this Chair.”

One of the things I really enjoy about your writing Rita is how easy you make it to picture both your outside and your inside world. If you could bottle up your outlook on life- the world would be a better place.